TL;DR
Marc Andreessen argues that AI becomes the “world’s best coach, mentor, therapist, advisor, board member” when users treat it as a thought partner rather than a simple tool. The key lies in asking the right questions and using meta prompts to discover what questions to ask.
The Art of AI Prompting
Speaking on the a16z Podcast, Andreessen described AI as “probably the most democratic technology of all time” since “the very best AI in the world is fully available on the apps that anybody can download.” The real power, he explained, is unlocked when users shift their mindset.
“Part of the art of AI, right, is what questions to ask it,” he said, advocating for treating AI as a “thought partner” rather than a search engine or simple assistant.
Practical Examples
Andreessen illustrated his approach using a small business scenario. A bakery owner could feed AI staffing schedules, customer emails, and advertising copy, then let the model critique all of it. For product development, the same approach applies.
“What’s the best cinnamon roll recipe in the world? Work backward from that,” he suggested. “You could also say, ‘Look, I want to make the best one in the world, but I need to do it at 1/10 of the price.’ What are the ways to cost-optimise?”
The Power of Meta Prompts
Perhaps most valuable is Andreessen’s advice on meta prompts—questions that help users determine what to ask. “What questions should I be asking?” he recommended querying the AI. “Teach me how to use you in the best way.”
This approach surfaces blind spots and reshapes how users interact with AI systems, making each subsequent conversation more effective.
Industry Agreement
Other tech leaders have echoed this guidance. Google Brain founder Andrew Ng emphasised having “extended conversations” with models, noting that “AI is very smart, but getting context in is difficult.” He uses AI in voice mode to brainstorm whilst driving.
EY’s Americas CTO Matt Barrington maintains separate AI “workspaces” for different focus areas and gives clear instructions about response style and depth—from “provide a concise, bullet-point summary” to “act as a finance expert.”
Looking Forward
For UK SMEs exploring AI adoption, Andreessen’s framework offers a practical starting point. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human thinking, the most effective approach treats it as a collaborative partner that can challenge assumptions, identify gaps, and accelerate decision-making—provided users invest time in learning the art of asking better questions.
Source: Business Insider